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Sailors No. 1 Mission: Return USS Wasp to Sea

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS110913-04
9/13/2011

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Jah'mai C.J. Stokes, USS Wasp Public Affairs

USS WASP, At sea (NNS) -- USS Wasp flight deck certified to land AV-8B Harriers Sept.11 while underway.

For the past several weeks, Wasp upgraded part of its flight deck to land fixed-winged aircraft during this underway period for the AVCERT facilitated by Afloat Training Group (ATG).

During an earlier underway period in July, Wasp attained certification to land helicopters and rotorary aircraft such as MH-60S helicopters and V-22 Osprey tilt rotor aircraft.

During this underway, the focus was on certifying the flight deck for use for the AV-8B Harriers. The Harrier is a USMC Vertical/Short Take-off and Landing aircraft that provides close-air support for Marines on the ground in combat situations.

Having full aviation certification allows Wasp to land different types of aircraft; including vertical take off and landing aircraft, such as the AV-8B Harrier and the new F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, said Senior Chief Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handler) Richard McCray.

"When the ATG staff came aboard Wasp for AVCERT they came to a ship whose crew was fully prepared," said McCray. "We sent 15 Sailors from the air department down to Cherry Point, N.C. for aircraft handling training as well as launch officers and shooters training. We did all of this training to make sure there would be no problems when it came time to be fully certified. The flight deck is 100 percent ready to go."

From Aug. 17-19, those Sailors became familiar with the different types of aircraft slated to land aboard Wasp for AVCERT, and learned the expectations of the pilots and the requirements of the aircraft, according to McCray. Sailors also learned how to launch and recover the AV-8B Harrier using two different methods.

During nighttime flight quarters, the flight deck crew as well as the pilots make use of the aided method (using night vision goggles) and unaided method (without night vision goggles) to land on the ship. These methods ensure optimal competency and safety when landing.

Wasp air traffic controllers also participated in the certification process.

"Our job for this mission was to control the Harriers to perform different landing approaches aboard Wasp," said Air Traffic Controller 1st Class Serena Andreano. "In order to make sure Wasp was prepared for AVCERT, my entire division went to Pensacola, Fla."

The training Andreano and her shipmates received in Florida allowed them to simulate controlling Harriers and V-22's performing day and night landing approaches on the flight deck.

"Being able to finish this certification is really wonderful because this means Wasp is just another step closer in becoming a fully operational amphibious ship," said Andreano.

McCray said V-1 division has done an excellent job in completing the flight deck certification the first time around.